KUALA LUMPUR (March 20): The army will be roped in to assist the police in enforcing the Movement Control Order (MCO) from Sunday onwards, said defence minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri. 

The decision was made following a National Security Council meeting this morning, Ismail Sabri said in a press conference today. 

"Under Section 5 of the Prevention and Control of Contagious Disease Act 1988, the power of the Minister of Health [is] to empower any government agency that is needed to enforce the laws that [have] been introduced," said Ismail Sabri.

Meanwhile, the minister said that on the second day of the MCO, the compliance rate had risen from the 60% range a day before, police data showed.

He also urged the public not to share unverified news, and for them to clarify with the respective ministries via their respective hotlines.

The minister also reiterated that Malaysians working in Singapore who are in the island-state were allowed to remain there to continue working.

Meanwhile, the government also took note on the difficulty for workers who were stopped by police en route to their workplace, said Ismail.

The Ministry of Economic Affairs will streamline the travel permit required by workers of the private sector as proof that they are permitted to travel to work, he said.

On rogue employers who refuse to pay salaries of employees or have forced employees to take unpaid leave, Ismail said "we did not allow that", adding that the Ministry of Human Resource has been instructed to take stern action against such employers.

Additionally, the government will provide funding for meals for all students who are stranded on campus during the Movement Control Order period, Ismail said.

This was in light of the situation where some students were unable to afford their meals amid the partial shutdown.

The police will continue with roadblocks and announcements at the designated places, said Ismail. 

“We are still in the mode of advising the public… if there is no longer a choice, we will enforce the law [which involves fine or prison for those who refuse to comply to the MCO].”

He again urged members of the public, particularly the attendees of the end-February religious gathering in Sri Petaling, and those who have symptoms, to go for check-ups.